Agents and managers

We're at the point now where we need to send out query letters. A lot of people aren't sure how to go about finding agents and managers who will consider new writers (and by "new" I mean "not represented").

It's actually not that hard, but you're going to have to spend a bit of money. There are very few ways around that, sorry to say; many many agencies and management companies DO NOT have web sites. It's more common to find agencies without web sites, in fact. So searching the Internet is not going to help you a whole lot, and even when you DO find an agency or management site, it will usually be for a very big agency, and new writers generally don't want to start there.

I personally recommend getting a copy of the Hollywood Creative Directory; the 2010 edition is available here.

The cheapest option is the print edition at $80. If you want to get a yearlong online subscription, it'll set you back $200.

Next, you go through the directory and find all the companies local to Los Angeles. If they will consider new writers, or if they accept general queries, the listing will usually say so.

Now here's where your detective work comes in.

For both agents and managers, you'll want to try to verify the information. Whether you subscribe to the online version or buy a print copy, you're going to find mistakes, or business name changes, or address changes, or agencies that have closed or are no longer representing writers.

You'll also want to find their web site (if they have one). In my opinion, it's important to choose an agency or management company that appears to be focused on writers and is not too big. So you're not going to query ICM, for example.

The listings will also tell you what types of clients are represented by the agencies. So if you see an agency that says they represent "actors, TV personalities, music groups, news anchors, and screenwriters," you might want to pass, because their attention seems to be mainly focused elsewhere. Similarly, if you see a "talent and literary" agency and their web site is 99 percent focused on talent, it may not be the best place for you to go.

With management companies, you need to be especially careful. While there are legal requirements for agents, there are no legal requirements for someone to become a manager. Anyone can become a manager, or call themselves one. If there's very little information, no web site, and a gmail address, it could be a sign that the person isn't truly a working Hollywood manager. Some will be legit, and some won't be.

So! Do your homework, use your best judgment, and good luck!